Blue Mountains netball players will benefit from a $20 million funding boost to Netball Australia, over two years, if Labor wins the next federal election. Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, said the funding commitment was great news for players and volunteers at the eight netball clubs in the Blue Mountains. “You only need to be at Lapstone on a Saturday to know how popular netball is in the Mountains,” Ms Templeman said. “In fact, it is the largest participation sport for women and girls in Australia, with around 80 per cent of households involved as players, volunteers, coaches or administrators. “The $20 million over two years will go towards grassroots participation and engagement programs that will benefit our local netballers on a range of levels.” Blue Mountains Netball Association (BMNA) president Alison Yates welcomed the funding commitment. “A commitment such as this will mean we have more resources to support everyone involved at the grassroots, from our youngest players, our volunteer coaches and officials, all the way up to our elite level players,” Ms Yates said. “It will help players like Laura Patterson and Mahalia Everingham, who started at local club level, before being selected to play for BMNA in the Metropolitan League and have now been picked them to train with the Panthers elite potentials program. “We welcome the support that will allow them and other girls to follow the pathways through Netball NSW to ultimately play in the elite competitions,” she said. Ms Templeman said the funds would also support Netball Australia’s bid to host the 2027 Netball World Cup. “Around 850,000 women and girls participate in netball each year across Australia, yet we don’t see that reflected in TV coverage or sponsorship of our elite competitions. “Labor’s $20 million investment will ensure netball, which has done so much for women's sport for so long, can keep pace with the rapid expansion of elite women’s competitions in other sports.”

Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, said the funding commitment was great news for players and volunteers at the eight netball clubs in the Blue Mountains.

A commitment such as this will mean we have more resources to support everyone involved at the grassroots, from our youngest players, our volunteer coaches and officials, all the way up to our elite level players.

President Alison Yates

“You only need to be at Lapstone on a Saturday to know how popular netball is in the Mountains,” Ms Templeman said. “In fact, it is the largest participation sport for women and girls in Australia, with around 80 per cent of households involved as players, volunteers, coaches or administrators.

“The $20 million over two years will go towards grassroots participation and engagement programs that will benefit our local netballers on a range of levels.”

“A commitment such as this will mean we have more resources to support everyone involved at the grassroots, from our youngest players, our volunteer coaches and officials, all the way up to our elite level players,” Ms Yates said.

“It will help players like Laura Patterson and Mahalia Everingham, who started at local club level, before being selected to play for BMNA in the Metropolitan League and have now been picked them to train with the Panthers elite potentials program.

“We welcome the support that will allow them and other girls to follow the pathways through Netball NSW to ultimately play in the elite competitions,” she said.

Ms Templeman said the funds would also support Netball Australia’s bid to host the 2027 Netball World Cup.

“Around 850,000 women and girls participate in netball each year across Australia, yet we don’t see that reflected in TV coverage or sponsorship of our elite competitions.

“Labor’s $20 million investment will ensure netball, which has done so much for women's sport for so long, can keep pace with the rapid expansion of elite women’s competitions in other sports.”